Mostly White Church Destroyed In Fire

A predominately white church in central Tennessee burned early Sunday, completely destroying the 4,000-square-foot building.

FBI agents joined state investigators in combing through the wreckage of the New Smyrna Church of Christ, which was completely engulfed when firefighters arrived at 5 a.m.

There have been more than 70 suspicious fires at church properties belonging to predominantly black congregations in Southern states since 1995. An equal number of fires have been reported at white churches in the region. There is evidence of racism in at least 18 of the fires.